a thin coat of water-base paint
"The artist applied a delicate wash over the sketch to give the mountains their final blue hue."
the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
"The pilot adjusted his position to avoid the wash from the large cargo plane ahead as it taxied down the runway."
a watercolor made by applying a series of monochrome washes one over the other
"The artist admired how the deep shadow in the portrait was created by layering multiple charcoal washes over the initial sketch."
any enterprise in which losses and gains cancel out
"at the end of the year the accounting department showed that it was a wash"
The process or an instance of washing or being washed by water or other liquid.
"The new community project focuses on WASH to improve access to clean water and sanitation in rural areas."
Acronym of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
In plain English: A wash is a light layer of paint that makes colors look softer and less intense.
"The strong ocean wash hit the rocks with great force."
Usage: Use this noun to refer specifically to the act of cleaning with water, such as in phrases like "a good wash after exercise." It is distinct from a general bath when you are describing just the rinsing process rather than soaking in a tub.
separate dirt or gravel from (precious minerals)
"The miners spent all day washing the riverbed to separate gold from the heavy gravel."
apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to
"The restoration team decided to wash the old iron railing in primer before applying the final coat of rust-resistant paint."
To clean with water.
"She decided to wash her hands before dinner."
In plain English: To wash something is to clean it by rubbing it with water and soap.
"I need to wash my hands before eating dinner."
A diminutive of the male given name Washington.
"Wash was born just a week after George, making him the third in line to inherit the family farm."
The word "wash" comes from Old English wascan, which originally meant "to wash." Its roots trace back to the Proto-Indo-European language, where it referred to being wet or water.